jg MEISTEE'S APPRENTICESHIP.

" As if they needed it!" cried Wilhelm. " I love this soft,
good, amiable creature so much, that I regret every instant
of my life which has not been spent beside her. Allow me, at
least in fancy, to have a share in thy bygone life : tell me every-
thing; I will tell everything to thee! If possible, we will de-
ceive ourselves, and win back those days that have been lost
to love."

" If you require it so eagerly, "replied the old dame, "we can
easily Content you. Only, in the first place, let us hear how your
taste for the theatre gradually reached a head; how you practised,
how you improved so happily, that now you can pass for a supe-
rior actor. No doubt, you must have met with droll adventures
in your progress. It is not worth while to go to bed now : I have
still one flask in reserve; and who knows whether we shall soon
all sit together so quiet and cheery again ?"

Mariana cast a mournful look upon her, which Wilhelm not
observing, proceeded with his narrative.

CHAPTER VU.

" THE recreations of youth, as my companions began to in-
crease in number, interfered with this solitary, still enjoyment. I
was by turns a hunter, a soldier, a knight, as our games required
me; and constantly I had this small advantage above the rest, that
I was qualified to furnish them suitably with the necessary equip-
ments. The swords, for example, were generally of my manufac-
ture ; I gilded and decorated the scabbards; and a secret instinct
allowed me not to stop, till our militia was accoutred according
to the antique model. Helmets, with plumes of paper, were got
ready; shields, even coats of mail, were provided; undertakings
in which such of the servants as'had aught of the tailor in them,
and the sempstresses of the house, broke many a needle.

" A part of my comrades I had now got well equipped; by de-
grees, the rest were likewise furbished up, though on a thriftier
plan; and so a very seemly corps at length was mustered. We
marched about the court-yards and gardens; smote/earfully upon
each other* s shields and heads: many flaws of discord rose among
us, but none that lasted.

" This diversion greatly entertained my fellows; but scarcely
had it been twice or thrice repeated, till it ceas&d to content me.